AROUND THE WORLD.

Ban blocks cleric's return from Lebanon

August 13, 2005|By Items compiled from Tribune news services.

LONDON, BRITAIN — Britain's crackdown on Islamic extremism widened Friday as officials barred radical Muslim cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed from returning to the country that has been his home for the past two decades.

Bakri associate Anjem Choudary said the ban would not silence the cleric, who left Britain for Lebanon after saying he would not tell police if he knew fellow Muslims were planning attacks.

Bakri was briefly detained by security officials in Beirut but was released Friday after being questioned about his entry to Lebanon.

"Omar Bakri will not be missed," said Inayat Bunglawala of the moderate Muslim Council of Britain.